Lottery Fund award for courses with horses

The success of an innovative Bristol-based programme that uses horses to help educate young people, many of whom struggle in mainstream education, was officially recognised this week with a major funding award.

Discovery, based at animal welfare charity HorseWorld, Whitchurch, has received a grant of £8,536 from the Big Lottery Fund’s ’Awards for All’ programme to help fund its ‘Discover Horses, Discover Yourself’ course.

They provide first-hand experience of working with horses in the outdoors as well as increasing confidence, concentration and self esteem, for young people from the local area.

Discovery Manager Amanda Cranston said: "This award to HorseWorld’s Discovery programme is brilliant news. It’s official recognition of the programme’s success but, much more importantly, it will enable dozens more local youngsters to take part.

"The feedback we have had from young people who have successfully completed Discovery courses is such that we can say, hand-on-heart, lives will be transformed as a result of this grant."

Discovery is one of a number of south west projects to receive funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Awards for All’ small grants programme announced on Monday 19 December.

Discovery is available to young people from Bristol, B&NES, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.